NEW ORLEANS — In an impressive display during the second half, the Houston Rockets triumphed over the New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 109-97 on Thursday night, marking the first encounter of a two-game series. Amen Thompson shone brightly for the Rockets, contributing 21 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.
Alperen Sengun delivered a standout performance with 22 points, eight assists, and three steals, while Tari Eason added 21 points to help Houston end a three-game losing streak. The victory was a much-needed morale boost, especially after losing their last eight away games.
Leading the effort for the Pelicans, Trey Murphy III put up 26 points, while Zion Williamson recorded 20 points along with 10 rebounds.
Thompson proved to be pivotal in the second half, scoring 12 of his points during this period with a high-flying dunk that completed the Rockets’ initial surge post-halftime, propelling them to their first lead of the game—a lead they maintained until the final buzzer. The team further widened the gap with a 12-0 run in the third quarter.
Despite trailing significantly early on, Houston made key plays, including a memorable two-handed slam by Thompson during the first quarter when the team was down by double digits. His remarkable move by rookie Yves Missi showcased his athletic prowess.
For the Rockets, this game underscored their strength within the division, as they improved their record to 11-3 against fellow Western Conference teams this season.
On the Pelicans’ side, while Williamson struggled somewhat with 5-of-15 shooting from the field, he capitalized on free-throw opportunities, sinking 10 out of 12 attempts.
The pivotal moment of the matchup occurred during the initial minutes of the second half when the Rockets executed a crucial 9-1 run, thanks to a decisive dunk from Thompson. From that point, Houston controlled the game, peaking with a lead of 17 points.
A highlight statistic from the game was Thompson’s remarkable feat of landing eight dunks.
Looking ahead, the Rockets and Pelicans are set to face off again on Saturday night, this time in Houston, as they continue their home-and-home series.